Comic books and original comic art are a vital part of the auctions at Hake’s Americana & Collectibles. During their recently completed $1.75 million auction, the company saw significant interest in original covers and art by industry greats.
One of the auction’s high sellers was Fantastic Four #289 original cover art by John Byrne that realized $24,726. Published in March-April 1986, the piece consists of 11” x 17” artboard pen and ink cover. It depicts Human Torch in Flame On mode with teammates Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, and She-Hulk unconscious at his feet.
Daniel Clowes Urban Legends #1 (June 1993) original cover art closed at $19,800. The 12-1/8” x 18-3/4” thin artboard with pen and ink original art shows a horrified man about to bite what looks like fried rat.
Jack Kirby took several top spots among the original art listings. His Incredible Hulk #3 page 8 original comic art for the “Banished to Outer Space” story brought $19,703. From September 1962, the 14-1/4” x 21” thin artboard features Kirby’s penciled drawing with inks by Dick Ayers.
Kirby also hit big with the June 1963 Strange Tales #109 page 2 original comic art that reached $16,874. The 13-7/8” x 21-7/8” thin artboard depicts Human Torch in “The Sorcerer and Pandora’s Box” storyline. It was also inked by Ayers.
Another key Kirby piece was the Thor #174 page 18 original art that sold for $6,749. From 1970, the piece was inked by Bill Everett. The 10-3/4” x 15-3/4” thin artboard features art from the “The Challenge of the Crypto-Man” story with Thor and Jasper Whyte.
One of the standout art pieces in the auction was Bob Brown’s Tomahawk #16 (March 1953) original cover art in custom framed display. The cover of Tomahawk and Dan Hunter defending Fort Mystery sold for $8,566, quadrupling the estimate. The art was enhanced by a 22-7/8” x 28-5/8” beautifully crafted custom frame by Dan Makara with collage images of Tomahawk.
E.E. Hibbard All-Flash Quarterly #2 page 23 original comic art in Makara custom framed display realized $4,867. The pen and ink original art for the September 1941 comic comprises eight panels including the Golden Age Flash. Makara’s 23” x 28-1/2” custom frame showcases collage art of Golden Age Flash, including small images of the cover to All-Flash Quarterly #1.
Another notable Makara lot was the Paul Reinman Golden Age Green Lantern original page art in custom framed display that closed at $3,997. The art includes two panels with Dr. Cypher sticking up Green Lantern. Makara’s 23” x 28-3/4” custom frame depicts Green Lantern panels from the 1940s with inner frame “Tops in Comics!” label and cutout portraits of Green Lantern and Doiby Dickles.
The House of Mystery #312 (January 1983) original comic cover art by Michael Kaluta brought $4,758. The pen and ink original art is on 11-1/4” x 17” Sparta artboard. It depicts Andrew Bennett rising from the grave surrounded by bats, rats, and snakes.
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear #1 (October 1993) title splash page original art by John Romita Jr. sold for $4,544. The 14-1/2” x 20-1/4” twice-up artboard shows Romita Jr.’s pencils with inks by Al Williamson. It shows a closeup of Daredevil’s secret identity Matthew Murdock blindfolded and beaten.
The prices include the 18% buyer’s premium. All of the results from Hake’s Auction #222 can be viewed on their website.